Reflection on the Second Sunday of Lent

In all three cycles of Lenten readings the first Sunday is always the temptation in the desert, and the second Sunday is always the Transfiguration. They are like bookends: the beginning of Jesus’ mission and pointing to the end of it, the Resurrection.

I want to look at the Transfiguration in terms of relationships and the feelings that go with them, relationships with God and other humans.

In my imagination, I can see Jesus, Peter, James and John  hiking 11 miles from the Sea of Galilee up Mt. Tabor which is over 1,800 feet high. Having arrived at their destination, Jesus goes off by himself to pray and the other three flop down on the ground to rest and very likely fall asleep like they did later in the Garden of Olives. 

When they awake to see Jesus surrounded by light and talking with Moses and Elijah, they are astounded. “Is this for real, or am I dreaming?” Peter, good old impetuous Peter, jumps up with the first thing he can think of – they will need a place to sleep, so let’s put up three tents. Can’t you just see him – sputtering out his suggestion? But this wasn’t meant to be a permanent situation.

In our younger days, when the emphasis was on the divinity of Jesus, I didn’t think about the human emotions that Jesus experienced. Somehow, it seemed like everything would be easier for him because he was divine. He didn’t experience things the same way we do. Not true! In the 1950s when there was a shift toward looking more at the humanity of Jesus, all that changed for me. Now I ask myself what was Jesus feeling when Moses and Elijah appeared? If nothing else, he must have been surprised and pleased. 

Last week, with Agnes Ann, we reflected on the time Jesus spent in the desert preparing for his mission. I’m sure that it was a time of questioning and discerning how to proceed. Did he have moments of uncertainty, doubt or fear? We do when we are making a serious decision.  What gave him courage to move forward with his plan was his relationship with God. That is where his strength came from.

By the time of the transfiguration event Jesus had been living his mission long enough to see its difficulties and where it might lead. He knew what had happened to his cousin, John. He had to be apprehensive about his future. We know that feeling, too, when we aren‘t sure what is happening or how to handle a situation. In fact, we are experiencing it right now in this country. The voice calling out  “This is my chosen son: listen to him.”  had to be comforting and reassuring for Jesus, giving him courage to continue his mission. It was the confirmation that this struggle had not been in vain.

What about Peter, James and John? What were they thinking? Amazement, wonder and questions: Why did he choose us to share in this event, why not the others?  What are we supposed to do after seeing this? Why does he insist on keeping it secret? They will only understand after the Resurrection.

In Mark’s Gospel, just before recording this event, he tells us that Jesus asked his disciples who people were saying that  he was. They answered:  Moses, Elijah or one of the prophets. Then Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” Were these three chosen because they were closer to the truth than the others?

We know that the whole of creation is built around relationships: cell to cell, tree to tree, elephant to elephant, human to human and human to the Creator. Jesus followed nature, spreading his message by building relationships. It started with his own relationship with the Holy One. Then he began his ministry by gathering disciples and building relationships into a community of believers. 

The relationships developed slowly. First there was  the attraction to Jesus. “This man is interesting and charismatic, so let’s see what he has to say.” Then Jesus invited them to walk with him, eat with him, to listen to what he had to say. He revealed himself to them gradually. They listened, they watched – he changed water into wine, he healed people, he respected their dignity. Their affection for him grew along with their wonder at the things he did. He even forgave them when they failed him.

So what do we learn from all of this? Relationships are crucial – with God and with other human beings. We can’t survive without them. We can’t build the kingdom of God on earth alone. We must learn from Mother Nature if we are to survive.

As I speak, relationships are being destroyed all around us. Our allies are being thrust aside. The poor are being forgotten, immigrants cast out, families separated, the dignity of people ignored. Our call is to not let that happen in our own surroundings. It seems to me that our job is to work hard at building community through establishing networks and relationships with the people around us. 

Can we help restore the harmony between God, humans and the earth? It is within our power to do it not everywhere but here in this place by working together, accepting one another, recognizing the dignity of others and building community that we will begin to heal. It means not writing people off but trying to gently draw them in. We can stand with people right here, working from the bottom up. May our God who created us out of love help us to be loving, wise, courageous and hopeful. Maybe one day we will hear that voice saying, “These are my beloved children in whom I am well pleased.”